Study Says More Cities Saving Water

DURANGO, Colo. (AP) — A new study says cities in the southwest are doing a better job saving water.

The Pacific Institute report to be released Thursday shows cities in the Colorado River Basin saved 2 million acre-feet a year compared with their per-person consumption rates in 1990, according to the Durango Herald.

The Colorado River provides about 15 million acre-feet of water a year. The report says several Utah cities and Mexicali, Mexico showed the greatest efficiency improvements.

The basin’s population has increased 10 million since 1990 to more than 33 million, according to the report, which says the increase in water use was far below the population increase.

The report says some cities, including Los Angeles and Albuquerque, used less total water in 2008 than in 1990, despite growing populations.